Monday, April 3, 2017

The Case for Investment in Adult Basic Education :: ProLiteracy

There
is a significant connection between participation in adult basic skills
programs and increased employment and income levels, high school equivalency
and postsecondary education attainment, and civic participation. This return on
investment, however, remains mostly unknown to policy makers, funders, and the
general public.

ProLiteracy’s
new white paper,The
Case for Investment in Adult Basic Education, is based on a 10-year
research study conducted by Dr. Stephen Reder, Professor Emeritus of Applied
Linguistics at Portland State University. Dr. Reder found substantial evidence
proving that involvement in adult basic skills programs has a positive return
on investment related to improving an adult’s life. It has been concluded that
low adult literacy has a huge adverse effect on the employability and earnings
of American adults, and on our nation’s economic and social well-being. This
research provides a strong case for the need to increase investment in adult
education through federal and state policies, private foundations, and
individual donors.

Thirty-six
million adults in the United States have low-literacy skills, reading at or
below a third-grade level.1 Forty-three percent of adults living in poverty
have limited literacy skills.2 Historically, there has been little research to
demonstrate the positive impact on adults, jobs, and future generations, as
well as the return on investment that adult literacy skills programs realize.
However, research conducted by Dr. Stephen Reder provides a new opportunity to
demonstrate for stakeholders the positive outcomes that adult basic skills
(ABS) programs can have on an individual’s life, career, and income.

Dr.
Reder’s research examined the correlation between participation in adult basic
skills programs and later increases in income, literacy levels, high school
equivalency attainment, postsecondary education engagement, and civic
participation/voting activity.

The
study findings showed a positive outcome for individuals in four of these five
areas:

1. individuals participating in an ABS program
showed a dramatic increase in income over time, especially those participating for
100 or more hours

2. participants were more likely to go on to
obtain a high school equivalency credential, especially those participating for
100 or more hours

3. program participants were more likely to
pursue secondary education and received more credits than nonparticipants

4. program participants were more likely to
develop improved literacy proficiency over time, especially those participating
for 100 or more hours

This
research provides a strong case for an increased investment in adults and adult
education. These outcomes directly impact all Americans in that they contribute
to a healthy economy, increase employment, reduce public assistance, and lower
health care costs.READ
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